Web-feeding arrangement



Nov. 27',l 1945. c. E. wYRlcK WEB-FEEDING ARRANGEMENT' Original Filed April 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 27, 14945.

C. E. WYRICK WEB-FEEDING ARRANGEMENT original Filed April 27. 1939 54 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR CM V70/r WWP/CA ArToRNeYs Nov. 27, 1945. E, WYRlCK 2,389,834

WEB-FEEDING ARRANGEMENT Original Filed April 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENToR. CLAYTON 6. WYE/CY( s www Arroausvs Nov. 27, 1945.

C. E. WYRICK WEB-FEEDING ARRANGEMENT Original Filed April 2'7, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 2 7, 1945 Clayton E. Wyrick, Miami, Fla., assigner to The Egry Register Company, Dayton, 0h10, a corporation oi Ohio Original application April 27, 1939, Serial No. 270,396. Divided and this application July 20, 1942, Serial No. 451,647

sonims. (ci. 21o-39) 'jacent the hinge sections to produce a compact My invention relates to a machine for aligning and vfolding continuous Webs of material into a fan-folded pack.

The invention is particularly adapted for preparing the zigzag folded pack of sheets provided for use in autographic registers, such as illustrated in my copending application Serial No. 142561,'

led May 14, 1937, now Patent No. 2,167,165, dated July 25, i939, and similar devices.

My invention, however, is not limited'to this particular use as it is obvious the invention is adapted for fan-folding packs of superimposed continuous sheets or Webs of material which are to be used in printing machines and other similar recording apparatus. These packs comprise multiple superimposed continuous sheets of paper having spaced printing forms thereon.

Hinge sections are provided between each form Another object is to provide a slack producing mechanism so as to permit shifting of the individual superimposed webs of paper being folded so that the corresponding hinge portions in the different webs of paper are brought into alignment even though they do not happen to register exactly with one another.

Another object is to provide a machine of the character described, comprising engaging roller means between which the paper web is drawn having alternate roller web clamping and hinge aligning blade means adapted tocooperate with opposed clamping and hinge aligning blade memhers for alternately aligning and creasing the superimposed webs oi paper, rst in one direction. then in the opposite, to produce a fan-like folded strip.

Another object is to provide aV machine for folding multiple superimposed continuous paper sheets into a zigzag folded pack comprising counterbalanced web guiding and stacking means.

Another object is to provide means for guiding the Webs in a back-and-forth i'old across the Pack while pressing each of the overlapped webs ad` aligned fan-folded pack of detachable forms.

Another object is to provide a machine for folding continuous webs having spaced printed forms thereon wherein a variable speed member is arranged between'the prime mover and the moving parts of the machine so that the speed at which the web may be moved through the machine may be varied.

Another object is to provide a paper folding machine wherein a paper web hinge and aligning blade and web clamping roller means operate in a definite predetermined timed relationship so that after the web to be folded is started through the machine the complementary web hinge aligning members cannot be moved out of alignment relative to each other.

Another object is to provide a machine for aligning perforated sections of multiple superimposed continuous webs and folding said superimposed sheets together in a fan-folded pack.

Another object is to provide in such a machine, means for admitting air between the individual superimposed Webs of paper for facilitating the alignment of the hinge sections thereof.

Another object is to provide in a. hinged web aligning and folding machine of this nature, means for producing a loop or slack in the continuous web being drawn through the machine, adjacent the entrance to the hinge aligning mechanism at a predetermined time. This permits relative shifting of the individual Webs over each other so that the hinged or otherwise weakened sections of the different webs of paper will move into alignment with each other.

Another object is to provide in a. machine of this type means'for slightly jerking or whipping of the superimposed webs just prior to the instant of folding or creasing the webs as a unit at the hinge sections so that corresponding web hinge portions will move into line or register. In this Way each of the Webs will be folded at their spaced hinge sections notwithstanding the occurrence of variations in the distance the hingersections ar spaced apart on the several webs.

Another object is to provide means for bringing about the slipping or adjustment of the Webs over each other so that their respective hinge or otherwise weakened tear-oli sections are placed in register just prior to the instant of folding or creasing the webs as a. unit sheet over a blade member positioned transversely of the sheet and in substantial alignment with said sections'.

Another object is to provide in a folding machine of this character a gripper roll which is held in place by gravity so that it is free t swing away from the web of paper t0 make possible the loading of the machine.

Another object is to provide clutch means for producing a gradual speed acceleration of the aligning and folding machine during the starting period so as not to put undue stress on the webs or machine parts.

Another object is to provide a paper web hinge aligning and folding machine comprising means for moving superimposed webs of paper there-Y through, aligning the webs at their spaced hinge sections and folding of said webs, which mechanisms are driven by a power train comprising a single prime mover.

Another object is to provide in a machine of the character described, mechanism for automatically disconnecting the electrical circuit io the auxiliary variable speed feeding web gripper rolls in response to declutching of the prime mover.

Another object is to provide in a paper web handling machine of the type aforementioned, means for disconnecting the driving means from the web feeding mechanism so as to permit manual operation of said web feeding mechanism.

Another object is to provide a web feeding roll mechanism comprising a, friction disc member which is yieldably pressed against a driven wheel member and wherein means is provided for moving said web feeding roll out of engagement with said driven member and locking it in position to be manualiy operated.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of the me.- chine, the bottom portion being broken away for purposes of illustration;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the complete machine illustrating the principal features of the mechanism for passing multiple superimposed sheets of paper through the machine and the arrangement of the web hinge aligning and folding mechanism;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective View of the driving mechanism of the machine;

Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the slack producing mechanism showing the chain drive means therefor;

Figure 5 is a vertical section view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 6, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the web slack-producing mechanism shown in Figures 4 and 5, partly broken away, showing the web in section in position between the rolls; i

Figure 7 is a plan view of the friction disc driven knurled web gripper rolls and guide roll means for feeding the webs through the machine, with associated parts being broken away to show the construction more clearly;

Figure 8 is a side elevation view of the web gripper roll friction disc driving means and variable speed mechanism therefor;

Figure 9 is an elevation view, partly in section, with certain parts broken away, showing the gripper and web guiding rolls and lateral aligning feed roller mechanism illustrated in Figure '1;

Figure 10 is a detail view of the fastening means for latching the gripper rolls out of contact with the friction driving disc preparatory to manual operation of the rolls for threading the paper webs into the machine;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Figure 7, showing the gripper roll mechanism in position for hand operation;

Figure l2 is a plan view of a continuous web or sheet having spaced printed forms thereon with perforated hinge Joint sections therebetween, which this machine is adapted to align and fold at the hinge sections;

Figure 13 is a front elevation view of a modified form of foot pedal operated clutch and motor arrangement used in starting the machine;

Figure 14 is a side elevation view of the starting means illustrated in Figure 13.

General construction Referring to the drawings in detail and with reference particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 3, I have shown, as illustrative of my invention, a machine comprising a frame, generally designated A for supporting the various working parts of the machine.

Referring to Figure 2, the essential parts of the machine are diagrammatically illustrated, in which the paper web supply rolls are generally designated B; web guide rolls C; gripper or web feed rolls D; free paper web loop E; lateral web aligning and guide roll F; web separator rolls G; slack-producing roller mechanism H; web hinge aligning and creasing mechanism I, and fan-folding web-stacking means J.

The web supply rolls B, as shown in Figure 1, are mounted one above the other and are attached to their respective axle shafts 2 which rotate in the axle holders 3 provided in the crossbars and secured to the upright frame supports Paper webs which may comprise the hinge printed sheet forms illustrated in Figure 12, are drawn ci? from the supply rolls B beneath the drag wheel member i and over the individual guide rolls ia, thence in superimposed engagement through the knurled gripper or feed rolls t and il. From the gripper rolls the webs pass downward around the counterbalanced web loop forming roller lil which is held between the ends of the levers il. Levers ii are pivoted about the transverse pin i2 secured to the upright frame members 5. The'counterweight i3 is attached to the opposite end of the levers Il and is sufficient to balance thev weight of the roller l0 and the greater portion of the attached rod M so that as the length of the free paper web loop between the roller i0 and feeding rolls 8 and 9 varies, lever Il and attached roller i8 will swing about the pivot l2 to accommodate the change and maintain the paper loop taut.

After the superimposed webs 6 pass around the free loop they are conducted over the guide roll l5 which laterally aligns the superimposed webs so that the edges of the different sheets coincide with each other. Thereafter the multiple sheets are separated from each other by passing the webs of the individual rollers I6. This permits a layer of air to be introduced between the webs so that they can more readily move or shift relative to each other during the web hinge aligning operation which follows.

The superimposed webs are drawn through an intermittent slack-producing means Il which operates in synchronism with the web hinge aligning and creasing mechanism I8. Thereafter the hinge aligned and creased webs are guided downward and fan-folded upon the counterbalanced platform or table member I9. The weight of the platform and vertical guide means is counterbalanced by the weights 2D which are fastened at opposite sides of the table by means of chains 2l guided by the sprocket wheels 22. The

lower ends of the chains 2| are attached to the snssasaf.Y

member 2l which forms a part of the vertically Power train The driving motor 25 for operating the machine is provided with a driving cone pulley 26 having a belt 2T which engages a. cone pulley member 28. Driving belt 29 runningover the pulley 28 operates a similar pulley member 30, which in turn is provided with a drive pulley 3l.

'Drive pulley 3| rotates the shaft 32 by means of the driving belt 33 and pulley Wheel 34. Attached to the shaft 32 is a gear 36 which meshes with gear 86 keyed to the shaft 31. The gears 35 and 36 are adapted to drive the web hinge aligning mechanism of this machine. This web hinge aligning mechanism comprises opposed endless chain members carrying hinge aligning blades and clamping roller means, which are generally designated 5d and 39 in Figure 3.

Secured to the shaft of one of the sprocket driven hinge aligning units is an auxiliary sprocket 5i) and chain di for driving the sprocket d2 and attached slack-producing roller means t3 and 53a. Sprocket wheel 55, which is driven through the power shaft 32, rotates the sprocket wheels d5 and d6 by means of the endless chain lil. Rotation of the shaftg by means of the sprocket wheel i5 operates the web guide rolls 55 and 5t, Through the train of gears 5i, 52, 53, 513, 55 and 5t the fan-folding and stacking means 5l and 5t are actuated, as illustrated in Figure 3.

Provision for counting the revolutions may be made through an auxiliary attachment geared to the stacking means 59, as illustrated at 55a. The knurled gripperweb feeding rolls 8 and 9 are driven through a, variable speed friction disc means 59 by power supplied by the shafts 60 and 5i which are rotated by the sprocket wheel 35 through the reduction gear box 62, as diagrammatically illustrated in Figure 3. The speed at which the gripper rolls 8 and 5 are run is regulated by the distance the friction drive Wheel 53 is maintained from the axle shaft 55 which rotates the attached friction disc wheel 59. Normally the gripper web feeding rolls 5 and 9 are driven at a speed which draws paper from the supply rolls at a slightly lower rate than that required so that the paper web loop E formed between the rolls i and I5 gradually shortens, causing the roll and supporting member il to rise pushing up the attached rod ld (Figure 1).

Adjustably attached to the upper portion of the rod it by the adjusting screws 65 is a plate 66. The opposite end of this plate pivots about the frame support 6l. suitably secured to the plate 55 is a tilting operated electrical switch 58, such as the conventional mercury type switch, commonly used for connecting and disconnecting the source of electric current. By means of the electrical switch B current is admitted to the solenoid 69 having an amature '15 for moving the friction drive wheel 63 over the disc 5.9.

Thefriction drive wheel 53, as shown in Figures 8 and S, is connected so as to rotate with the shaft 6i and is also adapted to move longif tudinally along the drive shaft 5|. Spring means ll urges the wheel 63 toward the outer periphery of the disc 55. The drive wheel 63 is provided with a cylindrical portion 'l2 of smaller diameter than the diameter of 'each of the opposed rollers `13 is adapted to t. The stub roller shaftsv 14 are secured to the end of theswingable members 16 which are disposed at opposite sides of the Arranged around the shaft 6I l Y below the drive wheel 63 is a fixed collar 16 which drive .Shaft 6l.

is fastened to the 4pair of frame members 11. Roller support members 14 are vpivoted tothe collar 16as at 16a so that the rollers 13 may be swung in and out of engagement with the lower portion oi' the drive wheel 63.,

The solenoid 69 is attached to the support 11 opposite the roller 13 and the outer' end of the solenoid armature 10, is connected by means of the links 18 to the ends of the members 14 supporting the roller 13. lWhenthe solenoid is energized the'rollers 13' are swung in underthe driving wheel 63, as illustrated in Figure 8, forcing the friction drive Wheel 63 to move against the spring and approach near the center of the friction driven disc 69. This inward movement of the drive wheel 63 increases thespeed of rotation of the disc 59 and likewise the attached gripper rolls 8 and 9 so that the webs are fed faster into the machine.

On speeding up the feeding rolls 8 and 9 more paper will be drawn into the machine so asgto lengthen the paper web supply loop E (Figure 2) which is maintained taut by the roll lll. After-1.

the paper loop E has been lengthened to the desired amount, lowering of the roll i0 and support members Il brings about tilting ofthe mercury Y Web hinge aligning mechanism superimposed webs of paper 5, similar tothat illustrated in Figure 12 having spaced printed forms '19 hinged together by perforated or otherwise weakened portions are drawn through the machine and folded at their hinge sections into av fan-folded pack. The distance between the multiple hinge sections 80 may vary slightly so that in fan-folding multiple superimposed continuous sheets, it is necessary to first align thel -hinges of the different sheet layers prior to creasing them so that each form will be folded along the hinge portions. If the hinges of the webs are not in alignment the webs are folded out of register with the hinge or tear-off sections and cumulative errors throw the superimposed forms out .of alignment so that the fan-folded packs cannot properly be used in the machines for which Athey are made.

Mounted on the shafts 32 and 31, adjacent the gears, are'sprocket chain wheels 8d which are dis-1 posed at opposite ends of the shafts. The sprockets drive the web hinge aligning mechanism 3S and 39, as shown in Figure 3.

Paper web slack producing mechanism As illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, means is provided for producing a loose or slack section in the paper web just prior to its passage into the web hinge aligning and creasing member previously described. The slack producing means is spaced from the web aligning member to provide room for building up the web slack, as shown in Figure l, and comprises a'web gripper roll 48 and contact roll 43a. These rolls are rotated by means of the chain and sprocket members 4| and 42 respectively, which chain is driven synchronously with the web hinge aligning units generally designated 38 and 39.

Roll 43 is geared to the roll 43a through the meshing gears |08 and |09 keyed to one end of the shafts and |I|, respectively, upon which the rolls are mounted. Support for the shafts and rolls is provided by the frame rod members I I2. The'amount of pressure applied to the web passage between the rollers 43 and 43a depends upon the tension in the compression springs |I3. This roll pressure may be varied by loosening or tightening the members I I4 which varies the cornpression pressure exerted by the springs |l3. Rods ||5 yieldably hold the ends of the pivot members IIB and I |1 apart so as to press the rolls 43 and 43a together, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

In order to allow for relative shifting of the different webs making up the superimposed web, at the proper time, the roll 43 is provided with the transverse slot H8 on its circumference. The roll 43 on each revolution places the slotted section I8 between'the rolls with the result that the webs are suddenly freed from'the grasp of the rolls i3 and 63a. At the moment this freeing of the web occurs, a slight whipping or backward jerking of the webs over each other is effected due to the taking up of the slack previously formed between the rolls 13, i3d and guide roll 91 by the weight of the paper web disposed to the rear of the slack-producing rolls i3 and 63a.

It will be understood that other means may be provided for forming a loose web section adjacent the hinge aligning mechanism and shifting of the individual webs over each other during the. web aligning operation.

The folded pack of paper webs is supported on the table i9 which is guided vertically between the frame upright angle members |35. Rollers |36 engage along the side of the upright frame members |35. Counterbalancing weight and spring means 2li (Figure 1) are fastened to the cross rod member 23, the outer ends of which are rigidly mounted in the roller assembly plates .|38 so.. as to move therewith as heretofore described.

Mechanism for threading web into the feeding rolls Referring to Figures 7 and 9, the knurled paper web feed rolls 0' and 9 and web aligning roll I5 are yieldably forced toward the friction drive disc `58 by the coil springs |46` which are disposed at one end of the roller shafts. Adjustment of the tension in the springs pressing the roll 8 toward the friction disc is provided by the screws I 41 and lock nut members I41a. 'I'he feed roll El is mounted on the auxiliary cross bar members |48 which are attached to the tie bar |46. By grasping the bar |49 it will be observed that the feed roll 9 and associated members |48 can be -pivoted about the shaft |50 of the guide roll I5. as shown in Figure ,'1. In this way the web feed roll 9 is free to swing away from contact with roll 8 so as to make it easy to load the machine.

Lateral alignment ofthe superimposed webs them to shift over each other until the superimposed webs coincide exactly with each other.

In order to permit of manual rotation of the knurled web feed rolls 6 and 9 a hub portion |52 is formed on the extended shaft |53 adjacent the frame support member |54. The hub portion |52 is provided on the inner side with a beveled or inward sloping -portion |52a. The outer end of the roll shaft |53 is provided with a pin |55 which is adapted to-interlock with a removable hand crank |56 inserted over the end of the shaft |53 for manually rotating the feed rolls 8 and 9, as illustrated in Figure 11.

A latch means |51 is disposed over the lock nuts I51a and comprises a cut-away portion |58 and |56 which is adapted to fit over the beveled surface |52a of the hub |52 and the lower spring adjusting member |41,v respectively. The latch may be pivoted about Ithe upper adjusting spring screw member |41 and when the lever |51 is clamped in position, as illustrated in Figure 11, the shaft |53 and feed roll 6 are moved against the springs |46, disengaging the friction disc 69 from its drive wheel 63. This permits manual rotation of the feed rolls 8 and 9 so that the threading of the paper webs into the machine may be accomplished without dilculty. After the machine is loaded the latch member |51 ls swung out of' engagement with the beveled hub surface |5211 and the springs |45 then shift the feed roll friction disc means 59 into engagement with the friction drive wheel 63 for normal operation of the machine.

Starting clutch means The preferred form of starting the clutch mechanism is illustrated in Figure 1, wherein 'the motor 25 is mounted on a base support |66 which is pivoted to the frame as at |6l. Attached to the forward ends of the motor base support I is the rod |62 which is moved vertlcally by the hand lever |63. Means for locking the lever |53 in the desired position is provided for by the notched latch member I6i. It will be appreciated that other suitable latching means may be employed.

For operating the machine after the webs to be aligned are threaded into the machine, the rnotor 25 is first started and then the drive belt 21 tightened by lowering the motor away from the fixed drive pulley 28 by operating the lever |63. In order to eifect disconnection of the auxiliary electric circuit to the solenoid 69 by the tilting mercury switch 68 when the operation of the machine is stopped, an additional tilting mercury switch |65 is placed in series with the switch 68 and so located as to be operated by movement of lever |63 so as to open the electric circuit to the solenoid when the lever |63 is operated to declutch the motor.

Amodifled form of starting clutch is illustrated in Figures i3 and 14 wherein the motor |66 is mounted on a base frame |61 pivoted about the support |68. Normally the motor is maintained in the raised declutched position by the coil spring means |69. To connect the motor, when it is running, to the machine it is only necessary to press down on the foot pedal |10 drawing downward the motor and tightening the belt |1| as they pass over the roll 5 is effected by the beveled side portions |5 which are adapted to engage the opposite edges of the webs causing which is disposed over a fixed pulley. The motor may be locked in clutched position by any suitable means such' as by spring pressed hand lever |12, as shown in Figure 13. The clutch mechanism for operating the machine, as illustrated herein, providesl a smooth starting mechanism which does not put undue stress on the machine parts or webs passing through the machine so as to avoid breakage of the webs or other parts.

This application is a division of my application, Ser. No. 270,396, filed April 27, 1939, now Patent No. 2,246,336, dated June 17, 1941.

It will be understood that the above described structure is merely illustrative of the manner of practicing my invention and that I desire to comprehend within my invention such modifications as come within the scope of the claims and the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for aligning and folding superimposed continuous webs of paper in the form of a fan-folded pack,.means comprising friction disc operated rolls for advancing said webs through said machine, means electrically controlled for varying the speed at which said webs are advanced through the machine, a prime mover for driving said machine, means comprising a clutch for disconnecting said prime mover,

and means associated therewith for electrically breaking the circuit to said variable speed electrically controlled mechanism When the prime mover is declutched.

2. In a machine for folding a continuous web of paper into a, fan-folded pack comprising means for moving said web through said machine, means for varying the rate at which said web is advanced, said rate varying means comprising afriction disc and associated drive wheel means, means including a circuit for electrically adjusting said drive wheel relative to said discv to vary the speed of said web advancing means in response to the rate at which the web is folded, and prime mover means for operating said machine, and means associated therewith for automatically opening said circuit upon declutching of said prime mover.

3. In combination with a machine of the type described, a prime mover,a drive from said prime mover to said machine including clutch means for connecting and disconnecting said drive, and

a variable speed device, electrical means controlling the speed ratio of said variable speed drive, a circuit for operating said electrical means, manually operable means for operating said clutch, and means responsive to movement of said manually operable means to drive-disconnecting position to open said circuit.

4. In combination with a machine for aligning and folding superposed webs of material in the form of a pack, a prime mover, a drive from said prime mover to said machine including clutch means for connecting and disconnecting said drive and a variable speed drive between said clutch means `and machine, electrical means controlling the speed ratio of said variable speed drive, a circuit for operating said electrical means, manually operable control means for said clutch means, and switch means in said circuit, connected to b e opened by movement of said control means to drive-disconnecting position.

5. In a -machine for folding a continuous web of material into a fan-folded pack, a pair of rolls coacting to grip and feed saidA web, a disc connected to drive said rolls, a friction roller radially movable oven-and in contact with, said disc, means for driving said roller and thereby said rolls, said means including a releasable clutch means, electrically-operated means' for adjusting said roller radially of said disc to vary the feeding speed of said rolls, a circuit controlling the operation of said electrically-operated means, and including two circuit closers in series relation. means responsive to the length of a loop of said material after it passes from said rolls, for opening and. closing one of said circuit closers,

40 and means responsive to operation of said clutch means for opening and closing the other of said circuit closers.

CLAYTON E'. WYRICK. 

